Today I was invited to attend a Japanese Tea Ceremony, the first of the New Year. The day was spectacular, calm and clear..with a North Shore swell lighting up the coast.

My friend from Japan, Reiku invited me to the Zen Temple in Paia to celebrate the first tea ceremony of the year.

The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a ritual of preparing tea for guests. It is very specific, quiet and traditional.

They served tasty little sweets made from bean paste. The tea is Matcha, a thick green tea that is prepared with a bamboo whisk. I like the taste of green tea, in fact, I drnk green tea most every day. This drink was frothy, almost like green soup instead of tea, but quite ono. (delicious)

It was a sweet stop, a time to reflect on the beauty of simple pleasures, in my rather busy, and very full days .

Hale Ho'okipa Inn Makawao Bed and Breakfast

The Hale Hookipa Inn Maui Hawaii Bed and Breakfast, built in 1924, is now a historic Hawaiian bed and breakfast in Makawao town, on the slopes of Mount Haleakala near Ho'okipa State Beach Park—Maui's famous windsurfing beach. The upcountry, central location puts you within easy reach of Maui's many activities, including Haleakala National Park. The Hale Hookipa Inn was appointed to the Hawaii State and National Historic Registers (see the history page). These historic and affordable Maui accommodations are recommended by Frommer's and Fodor's Maui!